Windows and Rooms(OPEN)

[williamsolmen]

Little boy, 6 years old
A little too used to bein' alone
Another new mom and dad,another school
Another house that'll never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

Will pulled the trailer up to the big barn, going slow in his six slant/three stall trailer. Chase thumped loudly in the back, nickering loudly, like most of the thoroughbred like lungs, it was piercing.

Marie ran out of the barn and started to help direct him. He could see TC in the cross ties, pawing angrily. Well, Chase was going to be happy to see him again, not. Aladdin nickered in the far back. It had been 5 hours since he'd pulled them out to let them move around. It had been at walmart and Chase had peed right in front of some guy in a brand new BMW, the poor man, he looked pissed, and Chase nearly kicked the front end of it when the guy impatiently honked his horn.

Will had trotted them all around. He'd almost let Aladdin run around on his own in the far abandoned area but decided against it, plus the horse had looked a little too frisky to trust on his own.

Will saw Marie give him the signal to stop and he put the truck in park and cut the engine. He hopped out and unloaded Faye first, Marie grabbed Aladdin and then Will let her grab May and then Will walked himself into Chase's stall, he'd given Chase a Stall because the horse tore the trailer down in a slant, especially when going from Texas to West Virgina. Chase snorted and kicked out, "Shit, Chase, can't you just wait a minute before killing my trailer?!" Will grumbled quietly to himself. The horse snorted and let out a shrill whinnie, yanking back on the lead hooked to the trailer. The trailer rocked a little. Chase swung his butt around, towards Will. Will shoved him off and clipped his long lead to the halter before unclipping the other lead. Will swung the little slant door open. Chase wasn't spooky by any means so he knew the horse would be fine with the noise. And he was, he just tried to bolt out of the trailer like it was the starting gate though. Which Will was expecting. Aladdin nickered inside, as if to tell the horse to knock it off. Chase pricked his ears, pausing in his canter/trot.

Will turned him into a circle and calmed him down. He snorted and then popped a buck, Will holding onto the lead. "Damn it horse, are you trying to get me killed?" Will said, more so the horse could hear and no one else. Chase did a little trotting piaffe, lifting his head high and snorting at everything, anything. Marie giggled off to the side and Will had to smile. "Haha, the little shit, at least we know he's feeling ok," Will said with a little roll of his eyes.

Chase pranced into the barn, with the extension of the lead of course. Will put him in the cross ties, where he immediately started swaying like a drunken fool, weaving and then he'd swing his butt left and right. Marie cleaned up Faye and May while Will hosed down the sweaty mess that was Chase. Chase moved away from the water, it being winter and the water being cool.

Will held a whip with him, just in case. Chase had a habit of 'body slamming' people. Chase pawed angrily in the cross ties, tossing his head and then stamping his feet demandingly. Will tapped him with that and he squealled a little, swinging his leg out at Will. Will gave him a harder smack and Chase looked back at him, wide eyed and crazy. "No wonder I couldn't sell you off," Will said, considering quietly to himself if he should get the horse Gelded.

As if sensing Will's thoughts the stallion settled down. Marie groomed Aladdin up and then watched Will as he cleaned up Chase. "Do you want me to stick Donte in with Aladdin? I know he stays in better when there's another horse," she offered.

He shook his head, "Naw, he'll be fine," Will said. "There's a goat in the back of my truck bed," Will said with a smile. Marie just laughed.

"What ever you say boss. You want me to take them to their pastures?" Marie offered.

"Hold on, I just want to go over them," he said, handing the whip to Marie while he went off in search of their pastures. There were three, One for Aladdin, one for Chase, and two for the girls. He returned thirty minutes later. "Ok, lead Faye and May to theirs first. Then I'll lead Aladdin out and we'll go back for Chase," Will said. Marie lead both mares, who were well when walking together. Will lead Aladdin out, hating to leave Chase unsupervised, but knowing the horse would be good enough, as long as no one walked their mare past him. Will let Aladdin go free, who waited patiently while Will took his halter off, waited for him to leave the pasture, then took off running and bucking and playing, which was kind of hard, considering his size.

Will smiled when he saw him cool down and go to the fence to nicker to his neighbors. Will walked with Marie back into the barn, "You ready for the beast?" Will asked with a devious smile on his face. She nodded her head. "Still not saying much?" She just smiled.

"Suit yourself." Will grabbed a towel and toweled down chase. He stopped when the horse was pretty much dry. He grabbed his lead and walked the horse out, who pranced and tried to play all down the isle. Will just ignored him, or would give him a little jerk with the stud chain. Chase just ignored the thing.

Will smiled as they reached the pasture. marie shut the gate and Will unclipped the top part so when he took off taring it would just fall off. And it did, and the horse was a wild bucking crazy machine who turned right around and headed toward Will. "HEY! GIT AWAY FROM ME!" Will shouted waving the lead at him. He farted and squealed before doing a little three sixty and bucking in place, as close as he dared to get to Will. "Awe shut up," Will murmured back before back stepping out of the pen. If he turned his back the horse would have run him over for sure, or at least tried. Chase liked to believe he was the big boss, but in honesty he was a gentle little dude underneath. Not saying he should be trusted around children but he'd trust Marie with Chase and vice versa.

"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home."

[Beth Hostetter]

OOC: Was going to post this as a new thread... but then thought... why not add it onto this one? So... here goes.


Beth looked around anxiously. The stall was ready, but where was the horse? Was she supposed to sit around here all day? The person never said he was going to call... urgh. Why did it always have to work this way. She just hoped that the horse wouldn't show up two days after the scheduled time, like what had happened before.

She had found most of the horses she retrained on a forum that racehorse owners use to sell their horses that they can no longer use. On it, she found a gorgeous Chestnut stallion (she'll geld him of course), with a gentle personality and the build and look of an excellent hunter jumper, or perhaps an eventer, or... well... something nice. She was looking forward to riding a horse that didn't have as much prance and jump and issues as Undertaker did. The little pill. Sure, she loved him, but sometimes it'd be nice to ride a horse that actually had a real future with someone other than herself.

She paced the hallways a few times, and then happened by the crossties. A fresh pile of manure told her that horses had been there not long before. It was still so odd to be in a barn that was more than the twenty acre lot where she had always worked her horses previously. It was the cheapest and best she could find, even if she did have to get up at three every morning so she could drive the fourty-five minutes just to make sure they were fed before she went to her college classes. Here the horses would be under full-care board. It'll be nice. And the prices were nice too. All of it... well... nice.

She gave herself a little pinch, and smiled. Nope. Not a dream. This was real. Amazing, after where she came from... but... no. She wasn't going to think about any of that. Pretend it never happened. Everything is fine now, and there's a new chapter in her life. Time to move on.

She paced some more, and soon found herself near one of the pastures. She gasped as she saw one of the horses nearly run a guy over. And then sighed in relief as he chased the horse away. Her heart was still thumping. She'd had horses do that to her, but it still left her a little weak, both after having it happen and after seeing it. As the guy stepped out of the pen, she gave him a little smile.

"Crazy guy. Looks like he acts like the kind of horses I deal with. I'm Beth. And you are?"

[williamsolmen]

Little boy, 6 years old
A little too used to bein' alone
Another new mom and dad,another school
Another house that'll never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

Will grew quiet when the girl spoke up. His attitude came like a light switch. He was now cold and distant. Marie walked over, oblivious to Will's change of attitude. "Hey, I'm Marie," she said, taking over so the awkwardness was a little less.

But Will stood as stiff as a board, kind of like when you put a saddle on a troubled horse and they know what's coming. "I'm William Solmen," he said stiffly, but didn't extend his hand.

Marie gave him a curious look, she stepped back a second, almost as if stepping out of the picture so she could view it better. She seemed to find no solution and stepped back where she was. "He's my foster brother. It's nice to meet you." Marie said.

"So do you start ex-racehorses as well?" Marie asked, to start up conversation while she walked back into the barn.

Will walked to the Cross ties and cleaned the horse's mess up immediately. Will's phone rang and he held up a hand to tell them he'd be a second. "Ya, ya hey. What?" His voice turned into a whisper and he turned his back.

Marie watched quietly, she turned to Beth, "Hey, we're going to lunch soon, would you like to come with? I heard this one place called the Loading Shoot is pretty good, it's in the next town over though," she said. "I'd like it if some other brave soul would come with me, Will can eat mud and be told it's pudding and think it's good so i don't trust his stomach," she giggled.

Will hung up. "Actually I wanted to stick around maybe an hour or two to make sure the kids are ok, so if your still hungry by that time your welcome to join us." He turned to Marie, who immediately flushed and grinned, "And the only time I ate mud was when the horses have dumped me, my stomach is perfectly normal," he said, patting her head teasingly.

Marie rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Ok, well if you're doing that I'm going to go play hide and seek with Donte," she said.

Will laughed, "This I would like to see," he said, looking at Beth. His gaze skimmed over her, not in the sexual way or even in a judging way, he was just finally taking a look at the person he had just met.

"Well come on, I bet you five bucks Donte will follow me around like a puppy for five minutes," Marie said.

"Deal," Will said, knowing he was going to loose. Marie jogged off to Donte's pasture, Will walking with a slow loose walk, almost as if he were comfortable in the new environment. Will looked at his horses as he walked passed them, making sure they were fine. Aladdin snorted and trotted forward, lifting his feet high as if he was being asked to passage. Will laughed, "You working yourself while you have the day off?" Aladdin stuck his tongue out and shook his head, his tongue flapping himself on the face. Will shook his head slowly, laughing quietly before saying, "You'll get your goodies in a little while, no need to give you an upset stomach," Will said, patting him on the nose and walking over to where Donte's Pasture was. He rested his arms on the fence and put one foot on the bottom rail. "Ok, show us your show pony." Marie rolled her eyes and looked at Donte.

"Look away," Donte perked his ears and lipped her hair. Marie giggled, "Noo..., look away," she said. He bellowed and turned around slowly. Marie smiled and quickly ran off, hiding behind a sapling tree. "Ok, Ready!" Donte stood there a second before turning around, sniffing the ground quietly, then looked around him. He immediately found Marie, it wasn't hard. Donte trotted over, bellowed and circled the sapling. "Ok! You found me!" she giggled. He threw his head up and then gave a little buck and kick. She giggled. She started walking around and he immediately understood. He settled into a walk and started following her. Sometimes the mares jumped into the herd too, but not always so it almost surprised her when they nickered and cantered over from the far end of the large pasture. Donte snorted and did a playful little jump from a walk. He shook himself and trotted forward before walking. He trailed right behind Marie, sniffing her pockets for carrots. Even when he realized there were none he grabbed onto the back of her shirt and walked right behind her. Marie giggled, the mares trotted to the side of her and were sniffing her pockets as well.

"Hey where's T.C.?!" Will called.

"He's probably off by the far corner sleeping," she said.

"OK, that's five minutes, come out of there before one of them runs you over," Will called.

Marie rolled her eyes. She stopped walking and Donte stopped as well. She grabbed his mane and put her other hand on his butt and pulled herself up, Donte helped by pushing her butt up more. She giggled and swung her body so she was parallel with his back. She rested her legs on either side of his barrel and asked for a walk.

"Marie!" Will said in a warning tone. He was standing straighter now, gripping the fence rail as if ready to hop the fence. "Be careful on him," He called. Will was pale.

Marie walked Donte over to the gate, "He's fine, I do this all the time on him. I trust Donte," she said.

"Ya well, I don't," Will said a little angry.

"Hey, aren't you the one who rides the crazy horse who ran into walls to get people off?" Marie reminded. "I don't tell you to get off him because he's dangerous," she said, defensive now.

Will looked at Beth, almost as if he wanted some help from her. Haha, how funny how much he'd made her his friend already. It unsettled him. How could he trust someone so easily, especially a woman, he thought bitterly. "Come on Marie, get down from there, if your going to ride you need a helmet," he said.

"I'm not a child!" she said angrily. Donte pinned his ears to his head, listening to the anger in her voice. Donte gave Will a look and started to prance in place, trying to swing his butt over enough to kick out at Will. Marie settled him down and rubbed his withers. "It's ok, I just got a little mad," she said.

Will growled angrily, "Fine, get yourself hurt, see if I care," Will said bitterly. He gave her three seconds.

It took two. "Will?!" Marie looked confused, what kept setting him off so easily? Marie rolled her eyes and swung off of Donte before hopping the fence and walking after him. "Look I'm off ok?" she said.

Will smiled slowly, looking at Beth and winking.

"Ugh! You're such a snob," she said angrily. She looked at Beth, "Isn't he? It's not just me right?"

Will laughed and rubbed her hair. "Silly kid, I don't think I'd have the guts to tell Anna you got hurt. She'd skin us both alive, at least once you were healthy again." Will said.

"Ugh, ok well do you need any help moving your tack and stuff?" Marie offered. She noticed a big truck and trailer pulling up but shrugged it out of her mind.

"Sure, you can help, let me move the truck out of the way first," Will said.

"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home."

[Beth Hostetter]

Beth was a little taken a back by the guy's abruptness in the greeting. She regathered her thoughts, and then thought again, why does it even matter? I just met him, he's probably busy, not like anything's going to happen between us anyways. She noticed the other girl walking towards her, and heard her question.

"Yeah, I work with ex-racehorses, primarily in Hunter/Jumper retraining. I'm actually waiting for one to arrive, my new trainie. It's been two months since I've had a horse that I'd actually be able to rehome and not just get tossed to the ground by like a rag doll, so I'm looking forward to it."

She smiled as they walked back towards the cross-ties. She heard a little phone jingle and watched as he picked up the phone. She looked him over. Nice muscles... nice hair... No... idiot. Stop thinking about that. There's no way anything's going to happen. He's not interested. That might even be his wife he's talking to on the phone. Besides, you're not even interested Beth. There's absolutely no way you'd allow any guy to get close to you... no matter how hot he looked. And this guy is just one of money. Shut up. After giving her head a little shake to force herself back into reality, she turned back to the woman who had introduced herself as Marie.

"Sure, I don't mind going to lunch. My only plan is to wait for this stupid shipper to arrive. And I'd actually like to see HIM wait for a while."

She gave a little laugh, and then saw William walk back up. Once again she subconsciously found herself glancing him over. Just because. She gave herself another mental shake, and just stood there and listened.

"Hide and seek? Sounds like me trying to find Tako at our old lot. He never played fair though. He kept switching spots."

Beth realized she was probably rambling and shut up fast. She gave a weak smile, and followed them to the paddocks where she simply stood and listened and watched. She heard William speak under his breath to his horses, and gave a half-smile. He really did like them. It wasn't like some of the barn guys she'd met in the past, who were there for the money and all of the girls who rode. The assholes.

She laughed softly as she watched the game of Hide and Seek occuring between the young woman and the horse. It was quite comical to see the two together. Two nearly perfectly engineered creatures, working off of each other's energies. It really was quite a sight. If only Tako could be so calm as to do that, he'd probably get sidetracked. No, he WOULD get sidetracked.

She continued to listen quietly to the banter occuring between William and Marie, wishing silently that she could someday be able to talk to, well, any guy with equal abandon. It sounded nice. To be able to talk and not worry about what might be said back, to be able to trust and be alone with someone of the male species other than a horse. It really would be nice.

Suddenly, she practically felt William tense as he stood two feet away from her, she looked over at him, then at what he was looking at. Nothing seemed to be really wrong. Marie had just bareback mounted her horse... Donte I think she called him. It was a nice sight. She looked back over at William, completely bamboozled now as his face was as white as a sheet.

"Hey Will... y'ok?"

She looked back at Marie's beaming face. And smiled back at her, then got silent and backed up a couple feet, not wanting to interrupt the argument now occuring between Marie and Will. Yeah... this is what she wanted is it? Freedom to talk... to argue... with guys? She watched them argue back and forth, each offering counter-arguments to the other's statements. In the ened, Marie slipped off the horse and color returned to William's face.

He turned around and winked at her. Stupid girl... something in that wink and smile just made her melt all the way through. Idiot. She needed to get alone, just for a moment, so she could knock this nonsense out of herself. Is that what a crush is? She had no idea. It's been so long since she's relaxed enough around men to feel even remotely like this. Urgh... it was stupid. It was aggravating.

She pulled herself and smiled back a little mischieviously, and slowly shifted a little closer to marie, showing whose side she was on.

"yeah... I think he might be just a little snobbish. He needs to loosen up I think more than anything."

Look who's talking Beth. He needs to loosen up. YOU need to loosen up.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a familiar faded red truck and silver stock trailer pulling up into the yard. FINALLY.

"Hey... sorry I can't help guys, but I think this is my new charge, and I'm not sure how he'll react to things, never met him yet, so... gotta go. I'll see you later... maybe we can have lunch?"

She shrugged at Marie, and then began to walk off, heading towards the trailer. Well well... the asshole finally decided to show his face.

"Hey Mike! Where the hell have you been? I've been waiting all morning for you and that horse."

The man got out, and Beth mentally shuddered. She always got this response from him. Just... the mixture of the beer gut, the afternoon shadow stubble, and an old t-shirt brought back uncomfortable memories. But... he was her shipper, and he'd never done her wrong before now.

"What? No 'how are you mike' or 'nice to see you'? Nice to see you too girlie. The horse is in back. I'm heading to the royal chamberpot to take care of some unfinished business. You know the drill."

She rolled her eyes as he walked off. He was always like this. But... he did a good job, none of his horses had ever suffered an injury on the trip, and he was more kind hearted than he let on. He really was. She slowly strode over to the side of the trailer, and peered in. He really was a beauty. By her guess, he was probably around 15 to 16 hands high, definately not as tall as Tako. He had one star on his head... and the rest was too covered in mud to tell.

She walked around to the back of the trailer, and slowly opened up the doors and stepped in. The horse was looking at her, his muscles tense, ready for flight if need be. Soothingly, she began to hum, no real song, or real purpose, except to calm the horse down a bit. She slowly untied his rope as she did so, and then led him out into more sunlight, the sound of hooves hitting gravel bringing a smile to her face.

He really was a beauty. Gorgeous chestnut coat, a slightly more compact body than most Thoroughbreds she's worked with, but powerful... and as he lowered his head and relaxed, setting his nose on her shoulder... a sweetie. He'll be a pleasure to work with.

[williamsolmen]

Marie smiled and waved and went off to help Will. Will had the truck and trailer moved by then. They unloaded all the things out, Will pulled out his big grooming trunk that Marie could barely lift. "I got it, you grab a rake and a wheel barrow and clean the back out. She nodded. "Nice to see you arguing with me again," He said with a wink before he disappeared with the big trunk. He walked all the way to Chase's pasture, sticking the trunk there. Then he walked back, grabbed the other one, and walked it over to where the mares were, repeat that two times, the last one going to Aladdin, and his back hurt. He sighed, his back always hurt.

Along with his heart. Will's thoughts flashed back to Beth, her golden hair looked silky and smooth, something Will wanted to test for himself. He grumbled, "Stop it, just stop." His phone rang again and he sighed. "What now?" he wondered out loud before answering. "We lost them! I don't know how, they were there one second and... hfff hfff gone the next!" the man on the other line panted.

"You lost them?!" Will slammed his fist into side of his trailer and kicked the wheel. Will went back to whispering when everyone stared. "What the hell do you mean you lost them?! Marie's life depends on- no I don't care. I don't give a shit about the rules, you find those bastards and hang them. I don't care if I have to do it myself! Get the job done!"

When he turned around Marie was standing there, holding a pitchfork, looking at the handle quietly before she looked up at Will. She had tears in her eyes. Will slipped an arm around her. She was stiff at first, like always, but managed to remember it was Will. "I know, I know you're afraid, I'll protect you. That's what big brothers are for." She nodded and then stepped out of his arms. Will understood her more than most people, she could only last so long in someone else's touch before she grew sick. And literally sick, she'd throw up on him if he didn't let her go. She'd get shaky and dizzy, throw up and then pass out.

Marie calmed herself down in the trailer as she worked. Will punched a few numbers into his cell. "Double the house surveillance." Will hung up and quickly went back to work. By the time he had all the stuff he wanted unloaded... well unloaded, Marie had finished with cleaning it out. Will pushed the heavy ramp up and closed the sides before hopping in his truck to go park it. Marie went off and dumped the shavings in Aladdin's pasture, so he'd have something fluffy to get up and down on.

Will parked the trailer, unhitched it, and then drove the truck toward the barn again. He hopped out, grabbing about 8 tubes of Ulcer-Gard. He had two for Aladdin, Two for Chase, and two each for the girls. Will was looking forward to selling the mares. But mares were usually the last horses sold, sadly. Will wasn't exactly in love with mares, especially thoroughbred mares. They were way too sensitive and were always in and out of season(which meant almost everyday was ground hogs day) Faye wasn't like that, but May... well she could be a handful if she wanted to.

Will caught a glimpse of the thoroughbred Beth had just shipped out. "Nice looking piece of horseflesh," he said, appreciatively as he ran his eyes over the horse, who seemed already in love with Beth. Will removed his glasses, revealing the large scar the went from the corner of his mouth to his temple. He had thick glasses on that had helped disguise the scar, plus Marie had taught him how to cover it up. Ya he used make up every now and then, mostly cause he hated the way people looked at him. Like it scared them off. The scar was long and jagged, as if it had been cut into his face slowly, with an unsteady hand. Which it had. Up until then he'd avoided looking at her directly and standing to her left since it was on the right side of his face. He was used to all of these things. Other than the long jagged scar there were no other visible impurities to his body, just let her get a glimpse of under his shirt, she'd probably faint at the gruesome amount of scars, not including the scars from fifty lashings by bull whip when he'd been captured by Al Qaeda and told to give up intelligence. Which he'd refused and spat on the Arabic General with fierce hatred. Which had served him another punishment... one he'd rather not think about.

[Beth Hostetter]

ooc: poor poor Will! I mean... I personally like scars... but... wowzers...

back in character:

Beth was completely oblivious to all else but her new charge. He was calm, cool, and sweet. She had him stand a little further away from him (that took a little time to get to happen), so that she could see his structure and build a little better, to allow herself to truly see what she might be able to do with him. Hmmm... nice strong hindquarters, but definitely not Quarter Horse type size... strong clean forelegs, ehh... he does have cowhocks... but not too major, his neck... no... I think he just needs a bit of fattening up. He looks like a natural jumper...

She loved it when she gets to meet a new horse. The thrill of the wild ones, the joy when the horse is calm, or begins to trust and fall in love with her. The smell of a dirty horse that would soon be transformed into a twenty thousand dollar show horse, the feel of a new coat, each slightly different in texture and color. The overwhelming fear of perhaps doing something wrong, then the confidence that arrives afterwards proving to herself that she can do it, that she knows she can.

She smiled, and then allowed the horse to walk back right next to her, where he stood there, content to do nothing else. Rubbing the blaze on his face, she closed her eyes for just a moment. She liked this guy. But, despite the fact that the stud was completely enamored with her, she knew he wouldn't be as challenging as Tako. Then again, that would definitely be really nice.

Taking up the lead rope fully, she turned the young horse around, and walked him slowly back towards the barn, aiming straight for the wash stalls. Since she was completely oblivious to anyone and everything but the horse, she didn't realize Will's presence until she was nearly on top of him... figuratively speaking of course. He was ten feet away and Beth's eyes were immediately drawn to him. She felt like hitting herself again. What was the fucking deal? Why was it that every time she saw him she felt like hiding under a rock and swooning? It was stupid, idiotic... and far too... well... teenager.

She stopped her new trainee, and quickly glanced all over Will for probably the fiftieth time since she met him scarce twenty minutes before. Yet, she found that despite all of that she just couldn't get enough of him. It was weird, and quite infuriating. Yet... he had taken off those infernal glasses... and... his eyes. OH MY GOD... his eyes. Such a captivating gray color... and... what was that on the side of his face? A shadow...? Or... she mentally shrugged that off. Didn't matter. His face was rugged, hair a deep beautiful brown that she just wanted to run her hands... no. She didn't. Why was she thinking this way? Urgh... so frustrating. Shut up Beth.[/i But... those lips... perfectly positioned for... no... they weren't. They were lips. You have them too y'know girlie? But... no. Nothing. At all.

The whole exchange in her head taking half a second, she gave Will a smile, and with one hand on the tired horse's lead rope, mentally giving him leave to graze a little, and with the other, twirling a small section of her long blonde mane, shifting her balance onto her right foot, the other bent just so... all subconscious actions... but all showing that, though Beth refused to admit it... she had started to trust this guy...

"Like him? He was shipped from a racetrack near New York City, I think he'll be a smoother and more enjoyable ride than Tako. Seems to be a little more normal... what do you think he'll bring when I get him back up to form? I'm thinking jumper, perhaps eventer or hunter..."

She found herself mentally feeling as though maybe she shouldn't have said as much, and the battles began again, all ending with her first instinct being a mental no... you're being an idiot about this Beth. Yet... creeping into her mind afterwards was the uncomfortable and totally desired thought that she had just met the most intriguing man in the world.

[williamsolmen]

Little boy, 6 years old
A little too used to bein' alone
Another new mom and dad,another school
Another house that'll never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

Will noticed her staring and he stiffened. He turned his face enough to hide most of it. Temper flared up inside like an all consuming fire. But when her eyes darted to his lips the corner of his mouth perked up, deviously. He smiled and noticed she kept looking at him. He felt pretty smug, to be honest.

Will heard her question and walked over. He placed a hand on the horse's neck steadily. He ran it down over his chest, to the first leg, feeling, picked up his hoof, checked them over, moved to the barrel of his stomach. "Hold on to him tight," Will cautioned before moving his hand under the belly and his other hand on the small of the horse's rump where the little bit of spine was vulnerable. Will pushed down with his top hand and the horse snorted, his back legs buckled but he caught himself. The horse pinned his ears, more to listen to what Will was doing then out of meanness. "In pretty good shape. Kind of reminds me of a mix of Marie's Pony and Aladdin, that's a pretty good mix, kind of surprising though since Aladdin is Jumper Bred. He's a tad bit butt high, but the ground is a little uneven here so it's hard to tell really. His legs are in somewhat good shape, at least in really good shape for a horse who's come off the track. I like how his front legs come out of his chest, they aren't too under like some horses. Pretty neck, it could be a little longer but that's just me. Looks athletic, but not that crazy killer athleticism like ... well you know." Will smiled at her, he came around the horse from behind and then rested one arm over the horse's neck, as if Will was completely comfortable around the strange horse. "Just don't let him get the upper hand and you should have a fine dance partner."

Will smiled, and if he'd had a hat on he would have tipped it. He used to ride Western, but found it was either too easy or just too weird. He preferred dressage because most horses couldn't do it, at least not to the upper levels anyways. It was a very hard sport that needed a lot of finesse and a lot of patience, which wasn't exactly Will's virtue, but he could make it his virtue, if need be.

"Just watch out for joint deterioration, but I suspect you already knew that," Will said. He smiled, "He might be a Tripper. In other words, he might fall on his face a couple of times while your riding him, Donte does that. He's almost gone heels over head with her, haha. She always laughed when he did that, while I was about ready to jump in the ring and save her, crazy kid. Anyways, that's my two cents." Will pat the horse's neck before walking off to help Marie, who'd gotten the wheelbarrow stuck in a little dip in the ground and was having trouble pushing it out. Will got it quickly and went to go dump it in Donte's for her.

"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home."

[Beth Hostetter]

Beth mentally kicked herself the entire time he walked around and investigated the horse. He began repeating all of the things she had noticed both in the picture and now in real life. She smiled to herself, a little smug smile almost. He knew his horses. He really did. She smiled and almost giggled as she envisioned a cowboy hat on his head and a wad of tobacco in his mouth, but held it in and simple nodded in agreement with his comments about build, deterioration in the joints, etc.

"Yeah, I usually spend the first month or two working in the round pen and the ring for twenty to thirty minutes at a time, helping them calm and get their footing and build up muscle structure... then start working with a few more advanced things depending on where they're at."

She looked back at the horse nearly falling asleep under their pets, almost as though the comments about his build or appearance or future were a lullaby. She pushed her hair back out of her face, tucking it lightly behind her ear.

"The biggest thing for me is his personality. You can train almost any build of a horse to do anything that it's suited for, but the personality truly tells you what the owner should be, and what the horse should be trained for."

As he had moved around the horse, she finally caught in light what the deep shadow on the side of his face was. It didn't quite comprehend in her face until Will had walked away from her and her new horse to help Marie with a stuck wheelbarrow. It was a scar. At first she felt like recoiling, but half a second later, she realized she was absolutely and utterly intrigued and fascinated. What had happened? Was it an accident with a horse, and that's why he's so overly concerned with being completely safe at all times? Or... something else?

She shook the thought out of her head, this time with a physical shake of her head, and with a wave in Will and Marie's direction, and another tuck of her hair behind her ear, she and the new stud took off towards the barn and the wash stalls.

Two minutes later, and she was realizing that this gelding was calm... but not around water. She turned on the water, and even though it hadn't yet touched her, he was dancing around, eyes white, nostrils flared, pulling back against the ties trying to find a way to escape the evil substance that would cause him to melt like the wicked witch of the west.

Groaning, Beth began to speak softly to him. "Easssssyyy.... easy boy."

She left the hose on the ground, with the water coming out of it, but just barely. She then just stood there next to the horse acting as though nothing in the world was going on. She stood there against the wall as the horse stood completely still, tense, eyeing the small stream of water like it was a diamondback rattler that would attack at any moment, twirling her blonde hair on her finger, quietly thinking about the people she had just met.

Marie was great. Seemed a little like herself, when she got comfortable with people that is. She seemed comfortable, cool, and confident. All things Beth just faked. They might be good friends.

Will... Beth was, despite her constant reprobates towards herself, she couldn't help it. She was totally and utterly intrigued by him. Not necessarily as a boyfriend or anything of that nature... but just by the fact that he was so different from anyone else she's ever met before. He wasn't a complete and utter jerk... he held himself with such a cool confidence and almost indifference that Beth felt herself wanting to do anything she could to catch his attention. It was crazy... stupid.

No... if she wanted to get to know him, maybe she needed to do what he was doing... well... pretend to do what he was doing... and just act completely nonchalant... act as though she couldn't care less. Instead of staring like a stupid idiot at his muscles... scars... beautiful hair and eyes... lips she wants to lose herself lingering on.......... no. Shut up Beth.

She shook herself to life again, and noticed that the horse... that she just now decided to call Carmel, had begun to relax, realizing that the water, currently at least, wasn't going to kill him. It would be a long road before she could give him a whole bath... but... it was a start.

Sighing, she grabbed a sponge, got it wet, and with all thoughts of Will forcibly pushed out of her mind, began to sponge him down. With the water not running, he was calm and mellow once more, leaning into the cold water being sponged onto his coat. Beth smiled. Yeah... he'll be a good horse.


OOC: Blech... it's been forever since I've RPed... I desperately need my game back... >.< This last post was just plain pathetic...

[williamsolmen]

Little boy, 6 years old
A little too used to bein' alone
Another new mom and dad,another school
Another house that'll never be home
When people ask him how he likes this place
He looks up and says with a smile upon his face

About a half an hour later Will had finished all he wanted to do. His phone rang and Will sighed, answering. He started pacing up and down the hallways, whispering angrily into the phone. he was on the phone for about fifteen minutes before he pulled the phone away from his ear and yelled into it. "JACK I DON'T BLOODY WELL GIVE A GOD DAMN! JUST GET THE FUCKING JOB DONE!" He slammed the phone shut and if he hadn't seen the terrified looks of the horses peeking out of the stall doors he would have chucked the damn phone down the hall. Marie came running in, already out of breath in just the short distance.

"Are you ok?! I heard yelling!" Marie said worriedly.

"Damn fool...! He won't do it!" Will growled angrily. "Damn!" Marie shrunk away from him. "I'm sorry," Will said immediately cooling down. "He said he wouldn't do the job. Marie, he's not going to help. We need that guy on that team. I was counting on him to help us!" Will growled a little and stuffed the phone back in his pocket. Will looked at Marie, who looked at him warily.

"Can we go to lunch now?" she asked quietly, that being the only thing that she could muster out.

Will sighed and gave her a little smile, "Sure, ask the girl if she wants to go, Beth."

Marie smiled, "Yes sir!" She had her spirit back and hopped to it. Will walked after her quietly.

Marie found Beth not far away and walked over, "Howdy, you still wantin to go to lunch?"

"This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home."

[Beth Hostetter]

OOC: Sorry... been VERY busy. On Monday I arrived in the USA, then the next few days were spent preparing for school (which started yesterday), and finding a job, then working at a job. So... yeah. Haven't had time for much internet period... just got back around to this.


IC:

Beth loved these times. The times when she was able to forget everything. College, her mother's death, the incident, boys, her father's nonexistence in her life, and more. She could focus and enjoy just smelling a horse, wet or otherwise, feel the strong muscles beneath her hands, feel the absolute wondrous joy of knowing that there's a thousand pound beast that could kill in an instant just wants to spend time with you and enjoy your presence. She sighed, and closed her eyes, leaning into the slowly wettening horse in front of her.

Suddenly, she was jerked out of her reverie. Someone was yelling in the hall, a male voice, something about blood, god, and fucking. She shook her head with slight confusion as horses began poking their heads out of stalls all the way up and down the hallway, a loud bray from some donkey or mule, and Beth looked around, and stepped away from the horse now looking up around, muscles taught, as if waiting for something.

She placed a hand on his halter, a slow shushing sound and light humming emitted from her mouth. As he calmed underneath her touch, she leaned over and grabbed the sweat scraper. She was finished with his basic bath, and began scraping the coat to get the excess off of his skin.

She heard the footstep before the voice, and her heart skipped a beat, followed by a quick reprimand, and a subconscious wondering whether or not her shirt was really as soaked as it felt. She looked over at Will, a small smile on her lips.

"Sure, where was it y'all were thinking of going again? I need to put Carmel here up first of course. I was thinking of putting him in one of the pastures or paddocks. I'm new here... and haven't been briefed yet on all of the rules. Any thoughts of where to let out a new stud?"

As she said it, she really began to feel as though her shirt really was that soaked. Why on earth did I have to wear a WHITE shirt today? Now he's gonna think I'm some slut who likes to show myself off. She turned back towards the chestnut horse, and began to unclip him from the cross-ties, praying with all her might that he wasn't able to see through the shirt.

"And... I think I might need to change..."